Steinway hammer voicing

[David Ilvedson]

Andrew,

Look at the travel of the problem hammers also, adjust as necessary and make sure the hammer is fitted exactly to the strings...

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044


----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Andrew and Rebeca  Anderson" <anrebe at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Received: 10/1/2006 5:48:40 AM
Subject: Re: Steinway hammer voicing


>Thanks Ed,
>This is a four year old D that hasn't hit its stride yet.  As far as 
>I know everything is original.  I'm guessing lacquer is the hardener 
>and perhaps if a wash were considered lacquer thinner would be more 
>appropriate.

>I get your point about going light on the steam, in my early efforts 
>at softening hammers on an old upright I got some cotton like 
>puffballs doing that. =-O  This is why I generally confine myself to 
>needling.  I will do this on the couple hammers that do not 
>float/bloom if after switching with a neighbor they sound better.

>Andrew Anderson

>At 09:26 PM 9/29/2006, you wrote:
>>Andrew writes:
>>
>><< If crown needling between the grooves doesn't get me any "bloom" are
>>we talking replacement hammers, acetone wash or what? >>
>>
>>      There are several things to try before replacing them.  A soaking with
>>acetone might move whatever hardener away from the center of the 
>>hammer, but it
>>is hard to tell. (if shellac were used, acetone will not do anything).   I
>>would be inclined to try steam.  I did this last week to a stage 
>>piano that had
>>sufficient hammer weight left, but not flexibility.
>>      I use a 1" wide strip of old flannel bedsheet.  I soak it in water and
>>squeeze it out as hard as my hand can go.  I then lay it on the shoulders of
>>the hammers, a section at at time.  One edge of the strip is aligned at about
>>11:30 on the hammer (viewed from the side as a clockface, crown is 12:00) so
>>that the strip is never right on crown.  With an iron set on 
>>"cotton", I make one
>>pass along the section, rather rapidly.  There will be a wisp of vapor coming
>>off the cloth behind the iron.  Then I repeat on the other shoulder.
>>     The results can be profound and immediate.  You may need to do a light
>>filing if the felt distorts, and you can repeat it if nothing happens.
>>good luck,
>>
>>Ed Foote RPT
>>http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html
>>www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html
>>